The History of the “F” Word

You can’t get a way from the “f” word today. I remember in my youth hearing this word from time to time and when anyone used the word, he or she would get reprimanded from others in the vicinity of the hearing of the word. It was considered one of the worst words you could say. Today; however, we have had a significant change in the use and acceptance of this word. This word is now used very frequently within the media and especially within our youth of 30 and under. It is used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, and an adverb within common speech and it comes pouring out of mouths without a shutter.

Let’s look at the history of this English “f” word, which is actually an acronym. The acronym comes from three known abbreviations to which can be used: ‘fornication under carnal knowledge,’ ‘for unlawful carnal knowledge, and ‘fornication under consent of the king.’

Under the first two meanings, the word is simply is having sexual relations outside of marriage, while knowing from deep within that God has not designed sex to happen outside of the marriage covenant relationship. In the third definition, there was a time in English history when the king made a law within the country where he was to be the first to have sexual relations with an engaged woman prior to the consummation of her wedding. The law stated that if any commoner wanted to get married to each other, the king would have the right to take her for himself before the wedding day. What a tyrant who thought he could lawfully fornicate with any woman he chose to violate her and causing her to sin prior to her wedding day.

The definition of fornication is quite simply sexual relations between two people outside of the covenant relationship of marriage. So, is fornication lawful and acceptable in God’s terms?

There are 36 times in 32 verses that it talks about fornication. Without a doubt, the Bible only references fornication (sexual relations outside of marriage) as a sin, an evil act against God. The body is not for fornication, but rather makes the body unclean, unholy, and essentially dirty. I’ll list a few of the verses:

“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ” 1 Cor 6:13-20

“8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.” 1 Cor 10: 8 (This verse from Corinthians is in reference to the book of Exodus where the people of Israel decided to have a big ‘party’ when they thought that God was not watching. 23,000 of them fornicated in this one party. God was so angry, that He killed all of these people within the day. Do you think He was watching and was serious about His command?)

“3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7 Therefore do not become partners with them;8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.”15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph 5:3-17

“3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thes 4:3-8

Therefore, we can conclude that the “f” word is an anti-Biblical word which goes not only goes against God’s Word, but rubs this evilness in His face.

“29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:29-30

So, let us stay pure and clean and stay far away from not only using this word in our normal talk, but staying away from places where this word is flamboyantly rubbed in the face of God.

Though I cannot prove this Biblically, I had previously listened to someone who had a death experience and was brought into the presence of God. One of things she talked about was that God showed her how He has angels assigned to His believers to protect them. She saw that when Christians went into R movies or participated in things that are evil in God’s eyes, that the angels covered their eyes and ears. They weren’t allowed to leave the person, but they could not tolerate what the Christian was doing and had to hide themselves from the sensory of the sin. Boy, does this show a whole new picture on what some are doing to their own souls.

Father God, help us as believers to stay away from sins of the body. Strengthen us to stand firm in holiness and to not participate in any action that the world says is just fine, but we know that You despise. And, we pray for those who do not yet know You, that You would become a real part of their lives and help them to also see what pleases You and what does not. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.